Chapter 33 Toad Cry Mountain

Southern Border, Toad Cry Mountain.

Toad Cry Mountain lies near the Yellow Dragon River, the third largest river in Southern Border.

The river winds across the land in a broad bend, flowing through Qingheng Mountain, Diedang Mountain, Pingtai Mountain, and Siji Mountain before finally emptying into the sea.

Jia Village stands on Toad Cry Mountain, near the middle of the river’s great bend, where the current is at its gentlest.

Toad Cry Mountain rises three thousand feet into the sky.

Shaped like a gold ingot, it has one main peak flanked by two smaller peaks, and the entire mountain is covered in a yellowish-green hue.

Most of the mountain is made up of swamps and rugged hills, with very little flat land.

The rough terrain also makes large-scale farming difficult.

Because of this, Jia Village has always relied on trade.

Most of its people make a living by organizing caravans that travel between the surrounding mountain villages.

Compared to other villages, Jia Village is far less capable of being self-sufficient.

Although Jia Village had risen through trade and could not compare to the immensely wealthy Shang Liang Mountain, it was still regarded as one of the major forces in Southern Border.

Its mountain stronghold occupied a large part of Toad Cry Mountain.

Inside the mountain stronghold stood tall bamboo buildings, yellow earthen houses, white-walled brick houses with gray tiled roofs, mushroom-shaped homes, and underground cellars, all scattered throughout the settlement.

Shops, restaurants, inns, blacksmiths, auction houses, and battle arenas lined the streets, creating a lively and prosperous atmosphere.

The streets were crowded with people and wide enough for several carriages to travel side by side.

There were few mortals among them.

Most were Gu Masters, with the majority belonging to the Jia family.

Thanks to its thriving trade, Jia Village drew Gu Masters from neighboring mountain villages to buy and sell goods, as well as those who came to trade the Gu they had refined.

At the foot of the mountain, piles of yellow mud were constantly being dug up and stacked into small hills.

Villagers carried baskets on their backs, slowly hauling load after load up the mountain to the stronghold.

It wasn’t just mortals doing the work.

Some Gu Masters used Empty-Bellied Beetles, ostriches, or Winged Snakes to transport the yellow mud.

Yellow mud was the food of the Rank Two Mudskin Toad Gu Worm.

Every Mudskin Toad Gu consumed hundreds of kilograms of mud each day.

The Mudskin Toad Gu was one of the Jia family’s signature Gu.

It was large, gentle by nature, and one of the most suitable Gu for transporting caravan goods.

Toad Cry Mountain was especially rich in toad and frog-type Gu, such as Sow Toad Gu, Fire-Swallowing Toad Gu, Precious Yellow Copper Toad Gu, Soul-Burial Frog Gu, and Treasure Brass Toad Gu.

It was even said that the Jia clan leader raised a Rank Five River-Swallowing Toad Gu.

As one of Southern Border’s major clans, the Jia family had built its strength through trade.

Because of this, they placed great importance on the security of their mountain stronghold.

Halfway up the mountain stood a towering wall that stretched across the entire mountainside.

Bunkers, guard towers, and watchtowers were built along it, while a heavily guarded checkpoint blocked the only road leading to the main peak.

Besides the common caravan beasts such as Bag Toads, Camel Chickens, and Blackhide Fat Beetles that made up the main force of the caravan, there were also many mortal people driving ox carts, horse carts, and mule carts, while others carried bamboo baskets or led various pack beasts.

Soon, a caravan slowly made its way up the winding mountain road and arrived at Jia Village.

“Keep the line moving!

One at a time!” the guards outside the gate shouted loudly.

“The entrance fee for Jia Village is five primeval stones per person.

Once inside the mountain stronghold, the use of Gu is strictly forbidden without permission.

Anyone who breaks the rules will be imprisoned for at least three days!”

A middle-aged man had already been waiting outside the gate for quite some time.

Several attendants stood respectfully behind him.

He wore luxurious robes embroidered with gold and silver thread.

On the left side of his chest was a gilded Jia character.

His round, pockmarked face was covered with a warm smile, and his plump belly stood out prominently.

The moment he saw the caravan approaching, he immediately strode forward.

Jia Fu.

Or rather…

Jia Jinsheng eldest brother.

Jia Jinsheng’s heart skipped a beat.

He hadn’t expected his elder brother, Jia Fu, to come in person.

Was he here for him?

Or for Jia Hu, the peak Rank Three Gu Master leading the caravan?

The answer was obvious.

“Jinsheng, you’re finally back!” Jia Fu stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

“Why did this trip take so long?

You’ve had me worried sick.

Father has been worried about you as well.

Come, don’t keep him waiting.”

His voice was filled with concern, and his anxious expression made him look every bit the caring elder brother.

Jia Jinsheng remained silent, his heart filled with disdain.

What a hypocrite.

He was probably disappointed I came back alive.

However, he was no longer the Jia Jinsheng of the past.

Having inherited the Blood Path inheritance, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.

Sooner or later, everyone who had plotted against him would pay the price.